Carrie Underwood Ends Tenure As CMA Host After 12 Years

It’s the end of an era – Carrie Underwood is passing the torch as the host of the CMA Awards. After 12 years, the singer has announced her retirement from the helm of the show with a reflective post on Instagram.

“One of the highlights of 2019 and of my entire career so far was being on stage with the legends that are Reba and Dolly Parton,” she began her message with photos of her co-hosts over the years.” I’m so proud that we could celebrate the incredible female artists that are part of the legacy of country music, past, present and future, and I’m thankful for the huge audiences all over the world that tuned in to see it. It’s hard to believe that it was my 12th year hosting and I will always treasure every show, from the 11 that I was so lucky to do with my partner in crime and friend for life, Brad Paisley, to sharing the stage with two of my all-time heroes. I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years.”

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One of the highlights of 2019 and of my entire career so far was being on stage with the legends that are Reba and Dolly Parton. I’m so proud that we could celebrate the incredible female artists that are part of the legacy of country music, past, present and future, and I’m thankful for the huge audiences all over the world that tuned in to see it. It’s hard to believe that it was my 12th year hosting and I will always treasure every show, from the 11 that I was so lucky to do with my partner in crime and friend for life, Brad Paisley, to sharing the stage with two of my all-time heroes. I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years. It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. #blessed #MemorableMoments

A post shared by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) on Dec 30, 2019 at 11:03am PST

The Oklahoma native continued by announcing that she would step down as host, but left with a tease of something more in the future.

“It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us,” she concluded.

While she has no plans to host the show again, the “Drinkin’ Alone” singer has much to look forward to in the new year, including the release of her fitness and wellness book, Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life .

 No word on who will replace Underwood, or if Paisley will return, but one they will certainly have big shoes to fill. The CMA Awards typically take place in Nashville in November and air live on ABC.